RO112555B1 - Process and apparatus for plant seed treatment with phytosanitary substances - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved process for the phytoprotection of plant seeds, wherein there is simultaneously applied to the seeds, on the one hand, at least one first liquid composition containing at least one phytoprotection product, and on the other hand, a foam formed from a second composition, containing at least one nonphytotoxic foaming agent.

Description

The invention relates to a process for treating plant seeds with plant protection substances and to an apparatus for carrying out the process.

It is known that seed treatment generally leads to an increase in the relative humidity level of the seeds. However, the seeds are very sensitive to the moisture that activates their germination. Grain tolerance to water Varies according to the geographical origin of the seed production and species. Therefore, because the treatment with a plant protection product is, for example, carried out in October, and for sowing in February - March, it should not bring more than about 1 to 2% humidity as a mean value to avoid any premature onset. of germination.

Drying the seeds after treatment can be used, but this can alter the germination capacity.

Treatment with finely sprayed suspensions to form a "mist" does not give satisfactory results because the drop cloud tends to move and is stored on seeds heterogeneously.

By designing genetically enhanced seeds such as hybrid wheat varieties, which are more expensive in this way, the seeding methods are becoming more and more grain-by-grain and are no longer by manual seeding ( this classic technique requires conventional wheat 150 to 200 kg / hectare].

Thus, it is very important that all the seeds presented at seeding receive the same amount of treatment product. The homogeneity of the treatment also affects each grain to be treated evenly; however, through conventional procedures, certain areas such as seed search are more difficult to reach and escape treatment. Untreated space is a favored path for parasites.

Finally for economic reasons and to protect the environment, one of the desired goals of improving these treatments is to reduce the amount of active ingredient used to increase efficiency.

The invention relates to a process for treating plant seeds, with plant protection substances, in which at least one liquid composition containing at least one plant protection product, and on the other hand, a foam is applied simultaneously to the seeds. consisting of a second composition containing at least one non-phytotoxic foaming agent, the two compositions being brought into contact with the seeds separately while mixing for a sufficient period of time to ensure a uniform and uniform coverage of the seeds.

The invention also relates to an apparatus which allows the process to be carried out, and which consists of a foam forming apparatus comprising a first foam forming chamber, equipped with openings which allow a gas and liquid composition to be admitted. and containing at least one sieve at the bottom of these openings, this first chamber is continued by a second chamber for the compression and structuring of the foam, which ends with a nozzle for foam evacuation, the foam forming apparatus being further equipped with an inlet system for the first composition containing the plant protection product, by means of a nozzle or any apparatus allowing the flow and / or spraying of this second composition. The foam thus formed will be applied simultaneously with the special phytosanitary chemical substance, for which it serves as a vector.

The time period during which the seeds are kept in contact with the treatment compositions will vary depending on the type of seed and the plant protection product according to the parameters known to those skilled in the art.

Phytosanitary treatment can be applied to plant seeds and especially to those species that are transformed into foodstuffs, such as wheat, corn, barley, rapeseed, sunflower, beet, rice and soybean as vegetable and flower seeds.

RO 112555 Bl

The seeds thus treated can be optionally pre-germinated.

The species of plants are defined, inter alia, by the area of the surface developed. This area of surface may vary, for the same weight, as a function of seed volume. It can vary between 20 m ² and 500 m ² per 100 kg of seeds.

The process, according to the invention, allows the volume of the foam to increase despite the presence of the antifoam agents present in all specialty chemicals intended for the treatment of the seed (the suspension treatment method). In particular, this makes it possible to retain, at the end of the operation, a constant amount of foam, whatever the concentration of the antifoam contained in the treatment products and to obtain the same results as if the antifoam agents present had been deactivated.

The use of foam for this type of seed treatment has not been realized so far. It facilitates the improvement of the coating surface for the same volume of initial liquid.

In fact, to provide a continuous film of 50 µm on a surface, it is necessary to use a liquid with a volume of one liter for 20 m ² or 25 I for 500 m ²

Simultaneous formation of foam at the time of phytosanitary treatment makes it possible to increase the entire volume developed by the initial solutions, thus making it possible to reduce the amount of water used. By applying as a suspension, 800 ml of solution is used on average to treat 80 m ² of seeds that will not be evenly covered. By the phytosanitary procedure, according to the prescribed method, the 800 ml will allow to obtain from 20 to 40 I, allowing a homogenous and uniform coverage of the seeds. In this contact the foam has a film effect.

Reducing the amount of solution to be used through this process leads to a lower humidity contribution than conventional processes.

The measurement made on seeds before and after the treatment with the two compositions, one of which is in the form of foam, shows that their moisture content is actually unchanged by this process.

The drying step is unnecessary and it is possible to go directly to the stage. packing.

Simultaneous use of a foam and a plant protection product will also increase the ability to penetrate areas of the seed that are difficult to reach. indeed, the seeds show irregularities of the surface which lead to variations in the tension of the boundary layers, in particular, the pericarp, the upper shell, the lower shell, the thread and the pedicel. Conventional treatment methods do not reach the seed search and there may be imperfections of the protective coating on the seed.

The use of foam makes it possible to multiply the volume of the solution by from 20 to 50 and thus favors the seed / solution contact. The foam makes it possible to increase the wetting ability of the areas of the seed that are difficult to reach. This process thus leads to the uniformity of the treatment of each seed, all the seeds being treated.

This process is characterized by the fact that the plant protection product comprises an active insecticidal, acaricidal and / or fungicidal and / or nutritional ingredient, optionally combined with other additives that favor controlled germination and wetting, dispersing, coloring, adhesive and stabilizing agents.

Thus, it is possible to use complex chemical substances as plant protection products.

Examples of suitable plant protection products, commercially available in the form of formulations, are the following:

(The abbreviation SC and WS means "suspension concentrates and respectively" wettable powders for suspension treatment ". Abbreviation q means" quintal, meaning 100 kg).

RO 112555 Bl

CHINOLAT + AL FL ^(R1

-SC

- Quantity of use

- Composition ......

2OO ml / q cereal

100 g / l oxine-copper

200 g / l anthraquinone

CHINOLAT PRO IN ^R)

- SC

- Quantity of use. . . .

- Composition ...........

250 ml / q peas, soybeans, beans, sunflower

120 g / l oxine-copper

120 g / l carbendazyme

CORMAISON Fl £ ^R)

- SC

- Quantity of use. .

- Composition .........

TXFL CORNER ^(R)

-SC

- Quantity of use. .

- Composition .........

500 ml / q corn

200 g / l anthraquinone

300 g / l capan

600 ml / q corn

147 g / l anthraquinone

150 g / l carboxin

150 g / l tiram

CORMAISON X ^(R1

- WS

- Quantity of use. .

- Composition .........

400 g / q corn

20% anthraquinone

22% captive

22% carboxin

CHINOLINAT PROAC FL ^(R)

- SC

- Quantity of use .... 400 ml / q cereals

- Composition ........... 100 g / l anthraquinone g / l oxine g / l teflutrin

CHINOLINAT PLUS MG SAFLO ^tR)

-SC

- Quantity of use .... 400 ml / q cereals

- Composition ........... 250 g / l endosulfan

100 g / l gamma-HCH g / l oxine-copper

AUSTRAL ^(R)

-SC

- Quantity ............ 500 ml / q cereals

-Composition ........... 100 g / l anthracinone g / l oxine-copper g / l teflutrin

RO 112555 Bl

GENOIS ^(R1

- WS

- Quantity of use. . . 2OO g / q cereal

- Composition ........... 25% anthraquinone □% oxine-copper

10% perchloraz

STYLOR T 320 ^(R)

- SC

- Amount of use .... 500 ml / q corn

- Composition ........... 320 g / l tiram

210 g / l anthraquinone g / l flutiafol (The above products are available from LA QUINOLEINE Ltd.) APRON ^(R)

- WS

- Amount of use ... 100 to 600 g / q corn peas, sunflower

- Composition ........... 33% metalaxyl or other treatment products.

In addition to the active ingredients, specialty chemical compositions may contain:

- one or more surface active agents comprising a wetting agent and a dispersing agent;

- one or more dyes or pigments;

- inert ingredient;

- an adhesive agent;

- antifreeze,

- thickening, comprising a anti-settling and stabilizing agent.

The foaming agent is a nonionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric surface agent or a mixture of two or more of them.

The foaming agents may be chosen in particular from:

Non-ionic surface active agents

- Alcanolamides or alkylamides, for example, cocetamide diethanolamide, lauric acid monoisopropanolamide, ethoxylated myristamide;

- Fluorinated hydrocarbons, for example, ethoxylated polyfluorinated alcohol;

Anionic surface active agents

- Alkansulfonate, for example, sodium lauryl sarcosinate;

- Aryl sulfonated alkyl, for example, alkylbenzene sulfonate;

- Carboxylic acid (poly) derivatives, for example, ammonium carboxylate lauryl ether;

- Olefin sulphonate, for example, α / femlefin sodium sulphonate;

-Scarosinate, for example, cyclohexyl palmitoyl ammonium taurine;

- Succinate, for example, disodium N-octadecyl sulfosuccinate;

- Phosphorus derivatives, for example, phosphoric acid esters and their equivalent salts;

Cationic surfactants: for example, alkyltrimethylammonium chloride;

Amphoteric surface active agents: eg betaine;

The foaming agent must not show toxicity to the seed or plant.

The foam is formed by simultaneously injecting air or gas under pressure into the composition when applied to seeds.

The gas used can be an inert gas or carbon dioxide. The pressure varies, preferably, between 1 x 10 ³ and 5 x 10 ⁵ Pa.

Thus, the compositions that allow the process to be carried out consist of a composition containing at least one plant protection product, and another composition containing at least one nonphytotoxic foaming agent.

The composition containing the foaming agent may also contain one

Foam stabilizing agent, preferably copra diethanolamide.

The composition containing the foaming agent may further contain a natural or synthetic resin additive which increases its adhesive power.

Examples of natural resins are.

- Alginates - organic salts and derivatives;

- Hydroxy-alkyl-cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose and cellulose hydroxypropyl ethers;

- binders such as Irish muscle, Guar, Arabica, Gatti,

Karaya, Tragachanth, LocustBean, Tamarind, Xantan;

- Agar - Polysaccharide;

- Pectin.

Examples of synthetic resins are. Polyacrylamide, polyglycol, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, starch.

Compositions containing the foaming agent may contain a coloring agent or a pigment to demonstrate and evaluate the correct application of the process over the entire seed surface area.

The mixing of the elements constituting the foaming agent composition can be accomplished in advance and stored until applied. Its application is carried out simultaneously with the plant protection product through different devices:

- an apparatus which manages the composition containing at least one plant protection product, and

- a second foam forming apparatus, in which the composition containing at least one foaming agent and the gas under pressure are introduced.

In one embodiment, the plant protection product is present in a concentration of 50 g up to 3 kg (or 50 ml up to 3 l of a liquid composition) per 100 kg of seed.

Preferably, the nonphytotoxic foaming agent is a surface active agent present in a concentration of 0.05 to 100 g per 100 kg of seed. Preferably, a concentration of 0.1 to 20 g per 100 kg seed.

The invention also relates to an apparatus which allows the process to be carried out, and which consists of an apparatus for forming the foam comprising a first chamber, for forming the foam, equipped with openings which allow a gas and the liquid composition to be admitted and containing at the bottom of these openings, at least one screen, this first chamber turning through a second chamber for the compression and structuring of the foam, which ends with a nozzle for removing the foam, the foam forming apparatus being additionally equipped with an inlet system for the first composition containing the plant protection product, by means of a nozzle or any apparatus allowing the flow and / or spraying of this second composition. The foam thus formed will be applied simultaneously with the special chemical substance for plant protection, for which it serves as a vector.

This foam forming apparatus can be combined with a conventional seed treatment apparatus.

Generally, the seeds will be treated during their passage in a container consisting of a rotary cylinder mixer or something similar, which allows them to be mixed evenly.

The system operates continuously, the seeds are packaged directly upon evacuation from the mixer, the drying step is unnecessary and it is possible to pass directly to the packing stage.

The process may also be performed in the form of a discontinuous treatment.

In one embodiment, the inlet gas and the liquid composition are arranged radially, in opposite directions. The introduction is made through the body of the dual gas / liquid separate inlet nozzles which constitute an atomization system. The appliance contains a wide-angle circular spray nozzle located in the immediate vicinity of the input connector.

The liquid composition is allowed, preferably, with a pressure ranging from 1 x 10 ³ to 5 x 10 ⁵ Pa, with a flow rate between 1 and 500 l / h. The gas is at a pressure between 1 x 10 ³ and 5 x 10 ⁵ Pa.

In another embodiment, the gas inlet and that of the liquid composition are arranged perpendicular to each other. The liquid arrives with a pressure that can vary between 1 x 10 ³ and 5 x 10 ⁵ Pa and around the intake system of the liquid is placed a deflector. The liquid gas mixture passes through an injector nozzle containing a conical chamber and leaves it with a flow rate between 1 and 5OO l / h.

The gas and liquid inlets are fitted well above a site which is intended to allow the passage of foams consisting of fine bubbles to be obtained.

The apparatus contains a foam forming chamber that contains a screen whose mesh size is 250 to 2500 pm in size. The mesh openings can be square, round or elliptical, and the size refers to diameter or diagonal, depending on geometry.

In one embodiment this sieve is generally flat.

In another embodiment, the sieve is in the form of a conical trunk and takes the form of a cup, with the opening towards the outlet nozzle.

The foam forming chamber may contain, above the sieve with a size of 250 to 2500 pm, a first sieve having openings of multiple shapes from 3 to 10 mm. In a particular embodiment, this sieve is shaped like a small plate opening to the means of introduction.

The chamber for the compression and structuring of the foam makes it possible to obtain a foam of greater consistency.

In one embodiment, the compression chamber is defined by a cylindrical element located at the bottom and in the extension of the main mantle of the apparatus: this element is fixed by flanges between the casing and the ejection system.

Fig / I represents the embodiment of the foam forming apparatus according to the invention.

The liquid is admitted under pressure through a tube 2 in a direction perpendicular to that of the inlet of the air or gas under pressure 6, a connection 4 ensures tightness. A deflector 8 is inserted between the gas inlet and the liquid inlet.

The mixture passes through a cone-shaped nozzle 10 and reaches the foam forming chamber 13 on a first screen 12 with openings of multiple shapes from 3 to 10 mm and then on a second screen 14 with mesh sizes of 250 up to 2500 pm. The tube 16 has a total length of 220 mm and a diameter of 55 mm.

The mixture is then passed into a chamber for the compression and structuring of the foam 18, which continues through a nozzle 20 for removing the foam.

FIG. 2 is another embodiment of the foam forming apparatus according to the invention.

The inlets for liquid 22 and gas or air 24 are arranged along the same axes and end in the body of the dual inlet nozzle 26. After passing through a wide-angle circular spray nozzle 28, the mixture reaches room 29. formation of foam on a conical screen 32 with mesh size from 250 up to 2500 pm and 88 mm in length. The conical tube 30 of diameter 34 mm and length 250 mm is fixed by the flanges 34 to the compression and structuring chamber of the foam 36. The foam continuously exits through the outlet nozzle 38.

The angles formed between the inlet axes 2 and 6 (fig. 1) and 24 and 22 (fig. 2) are 90 ° and 180 ° respectively. The apparatus may also be constituted provided that the angles between the inlet axes are less than 90 °, for example 50 °, or between 90 ° and 180 °, for example 120 °.

According to a preferred embodiment of the process, the composition containing a plant protection product and water is introduced into an apparatus and the foam obtained with the surface active agent is administered simultaneously.

The plant protection product is preferably CORMAISON T FL ^lR) .

The foaming agent is preferably ethoxylated polyfluoric alcohol.

The treatment suspension containing the phytosanitary composition is placed under pressure in a nozzle or by means of a droplet dispersing apparatus.

RO 112555 Bl

The foaming agent is pressurized into an inlet nozzle of the applicator shown in FIG. 2.

By the other inlet compressed air is introduced under a pressure of 1 x 1 O ³ 5 to 5 x 10 ⁵ Pa. The appliance is coupled to a mixer type screw in which seeds, for example, of maize of the Jaquar variety are circulated.

The volume of the foam produced by a process is multiplied by a factor of 50 in relation to that of the liquid equivalent. The treatment is carried out by continuous spraying on the passing seeds. 15

A homogeneous treatment of the surface of the pericarp is observed and the sheath and pedicel of the grain are covered, as opposed to the results obtained in a conventional treatment that covers the surface of the very uneven grain. There is virtually no increase in moisture content.

This confirms well the improvement of the coating and the penetration power 25 of the treatment of the gas / liquid boundary layers, which makes it possible to use a limited amount of liquid. Around the seeds a continuous film is formed, without a significant contribution of water, due to the simultaneous addition. of a composition containing a surfactant by applying the seed treatment in a conventional manner. The retention of plant protection products on treated seeds is increased. Thus it is found that the relative pesticide power of the active ingredient is increased.

Many embodiments can be easily imagined that are not essentially different in the quantities and qualities used and are thus contained within the scope of the present invention.

Many adaptations are possible depending on the production needs. From preliminary industrial tests it was found that the dimensions of the applicator must be adapted to the permanent needs of the production.

The examples below illustrate the advantages of the process, according to the invention, applied to wheat and corn seeds, sunflower and peas.

Example 1. - Wheat species Variety: Fidel

- Quantity treated: 25 kg - spray application

- Mixer: Mixer of 150 liters for cement

- Suspension preparation for 100 kg seeds

- Conventional method (1)

- QUINOLATE + AC FL ^(R) ...... 250 ml

- Water ................... 500 ml

- Method according to the invention (2)

- Phytosanitary composition by spray

- QUINOLATE + AC FL ^(Ri ...... 250 ml

- Water ................... 250 ml

- Foaming agent composition:

- Sodium salt of alpha ofelin C ₁₄ -C16 sulfate ..................... 0.1 to 10 g

- Copetan diethanolamide ........ 0.1 to 5 g

- Water .................... 250 ml

- Compressed air

- Applicator 1

- Total volume obtained:

- According to Method 1 ......... 750 ml

- According to Method 2 ........ 5000 - 10000 ml

- Microscopic observations:

- Conventional method (1)

RO 112555 Bl

16

- Surface treated heterogeneously,

- Discontinuous film,

- Negligible impact on the seed shell.

- Method according to the invention (2)

- Surface treated evenly,

- Continuous movie

- 90% covered seed coat

- Moisture content of grains:

- before treatment: 15.5%

- After treatment: (1] 16.1%, (2] 16%

Example 2. - Wheat species Variety: Fidel

Conventional method (1) by flow

- QUINOLATE + AC FL ^(R) ...... 250 ml

- Water ................... 500ml

Method according to the invention (2)

- Phytosanitary composition (by flow)

- QUINOLATE + AC FL ^(R) ...... 250ml

- Water ................... 250ml

- Foaming agent composition:

- Sulphate Na salt of alpha olefin C ₁₄ -C ₁₆ of sulphate ................. 0.1 to 20 g

- Water ................... 250ml

- Cochineal red ............ 25g

- Compressed air

- Applicator no. 1

- Total volume obtained

- Method 1 .............. 750 ml

- Method 2 ............. 4000 to 8000 ml

- Microscopic observations on the treated grains:

- Conventional method [1]

- Surface treated heterogeneously,

- Impacts,

- Very little impact on the coating

- Method according to the invention (2)

- Surface treated evenly,

- Continuous movie,

- 90% coated wrap

- Moisture content of grains:

- before treatment: 15.2%

- After treatment: (1] 15.7%, (2J 15.9%

- The quantities of products indicated are expressed in grams or milliliters per 100 kg of seeds.

Example 3. - Species of maize variety: Jaquar (with semi-flat grains)

- Quantity treated: 1000 kg - application by flow

- Mixer: screw type, length 180 cm

- Preparation of suspension for 100 kg seeds

- Conventional method (1):

- CORMAISON T FL ^tRl ........ 500ml

- Water ................... 500ml

- Conventional method (2)

- Phytosanitary composition

- CORMAISON T FL ^(Rl ........ 500ml

- The water................................................ 250ml

RO 112555 Bl

Foaming agent composition:

Ethoxylated polyfluoro alcohol ....... □, 1-1Og

Copra diethanolamide ......... □, 1-5g

Water ................... 250ml

Applicator no.2

Compressed air

Obtained volumes:

Method 1 ............. 1000 ml

Method 2 ............. 8000 to 10,000 ml

Microscopic observations:

Conventional method (1)

Surface treated heterogeneously,

Discontinued film

Some impacts on the horn and the hilum

Method according to the invention (2)

Continuous movie,

Cornet treated uniformly,

Hilum treated evenly,

Peat moisture content: before treatment: 13%

After treatment: (1) 13.8%, (2) 13.9%

Example 4. - Maize species Variety: Jaquar [with semi-milled grains) Quantity treated: 2000 kg - application by continuous spraying on the passing grains. Mixer: type of screw, length 180 cm Suspension preparation for 100 kg of seeds

Conventional method (1):

CORMAISONTFL ......... 500ml

Water ................... 500ml

Volume obtained ........... 1000ml

Method according to the invention (2) Phytosanitary composition

CORMAISONTFL ......... 500ml

Water ................... 250ml

Foaming agent composition

Ethoxylated polyfluoro alcohol ....... 0.2 to 20 g

Colchineal red ............ 25g

Polyethylene glycol M 6000 ...... 50g

Water ................... 250ml

Applicator no.2

Compressed air

Obtained volumes:

Method 1 ............. 1000 ml

Method 2 ............. 12000 to 15000 ml

Microscopic observations:

Conventional method (1)

Surface treated heterogeneously,

Many impacts only on pericarp,

A few impacts on the casing

Method according to the invention (2)

Homogeneously treated pericarp surface, sheath and covered pedicel

RO 112555 Bl

- Moisture content:

- before treatment: 13%

- After treatment: (1) 13.7%, (2) 13.9%

The indicated product quantities are expressed in grams or milliliters per 100 kg seed.

CORMAISON T FL ^(RJ ......... 266 g / l tiram

Composition based on ........ 175 g / l anthraquinone

Example 5. In order to verify the homogeneity of the treatment, according to the process of the present invention, a batch of wheat seeds of the Fidel variety can be treated according to the two application methods described in example 2.

In order to analyze the quantity of active material (oxine-copper) on each grain, sampling can be performed, according to the La Croix method, until ± 100 grains are obtained.

Analytical method:

Atomic absorption of copper using a spectra spectra AA 1D Extraction: Ultrasound - acidified water (Hcl) Number of grains analyzed: Conventional method (1): 98. Method according to the invention (2): 101

Table 1

Results expressed as a percentage of the theoretical treatment.

Treatment according to the theoretical 100% Number of grains Method 1 Method 2 <70% 21 0 70% to 90% 33 6 90% to 100% 30 86 110% to 130 10 8 > 130% 4 1 TOTAL 98 101

Example 6. Verification of the absence of phytotoxicity in the foaming agents used.

The germination tests are performed on treated seeds as described in Examples 2 and 4. Seed vigor is recorded using an index from 1 to 5 (5 being the highest index).

- Method: fluted filter paper;

- Temperature: 2D ° C ± 0.5 ° C;

- Read: 8 days after sowing;

- Moisture content: 95%;

- Repeats: 4 x 100 grains.

Table 2

Result on wheat seed Fidel variety, treated, according to example 2

The average of 4 repetitions Force destroyed % Abnormal % LC * % <2 cm > 2 cm > 7 cm The method, conventional (D 5 1.25 2.25 0 1 95.5 Method according to the invention (2) 5 1.75 1 0.25 2 95

RO 112555 Bl

22

Table 3

Result on Jaquard maize seeds treated, according to example 4_______

AVERAGE OF 4 REPEATS Force destroyed % Abnormal % LC * % <2 cm > 2 cm > 7 cm The method, conventional (D 5 1 1.5 0.5 8 89 Method according to the invention (2) 5 0.5 1 1 7.5 90

* Percentage of seeds that after germination have a length of the beetle (LCJ in the intervals indicated.

Example 7. Checking the moisture content expressed as percentages by weight and analyzed according to the Chopin method

Methods used:

A - discontinuous soaking in water containing a plant protection product;

B- dampening in a foam formed of a mixture of water, foaming agent and plant protection product. Expansion degree: 2Q times;

C - by continuous and discontinuous spraying according to conventional water methods containing a plant protection product;

D- by spraying composition 1 plus composition 2, according to the method described in the invention. Expansion degree: 20 times.

Table 4 (below) illustrates the results expressed as percentages of water uptake.

Table 4

Results expressed as percentages of water uptake

Moisture content% Wheat varieties □ RZ Theseus Maris Hunts- man faithfully Barbarossa The method used before soaking or Spraying 11.4 12.2 12.6 13.8 A softening 5 s 24.7 24.6 24.3 25.4 softening 10 s 26.6 25 25.1 27.2 softening 20 s 27.2 26 25.4 28.4 B softening 5 s 16.6 19.4 22 19.1 softening 10 s 16.3 19.2 21.5 20.7 softening 20 s 18.4 23.5 24.2 23.9 C spray 11 * 12.2 13.0 13.4 14.7 C spray 21 * 13.1 14.1 14.4 15.6 D spray 11 * 12.3 13 13.4 14.7 spray 21 * 13.2 13.9 14.3 15.5

* 1 or 2 l for 100 kg of grains, for tests C and D, 10 or 20 ml for 1 kg of grains.

RO 112555 Bl

Table 5

Weight gain

Test sample: 10 kg of grains

Soak time: 10 s

Spray time:

- for 100 ml: 10 s

- for 200 ml: 20 s Results in kilograms

Variety A B C D 100 ml 200 ml 100 ml 200 ml Wheat Thesius 11.52 10.49 10.08 10.19 10.08 10.18 Marius Huntsman 11.30 10.70 10.09 10.18 10.09 10.19 faithfully 11.25 10.69 10.09 10.19 10.09 10.18 Barley Barbarossa 11.40 10.69 10.09 10.18 10.08 10.08

Claims 15

Claims (19)

1. Process for treating plant seeds with plant protection substances, characterized in that the seeds are treated with a liquid composition of a plant protection product and with a foam containing a non-phytotoxic foaming agent, the two compositions being applied separately to the seeds, while mixing for a sufficient period of time to ensure a uniform and uniform coverage of the respective seeds. 2. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the plant protection product comprises an ingredient 3 an acaricidal and / or insecticidal, and / or fungicidal, and / or nutritionally active, optionally combined with other additives that favor controlled germination as well as agents. wetting, dispersing, coloring, adhesives and stabilizers. 35 Process according to Claim 2, characterized in that the plant protection product is present in a concentration of 50 g up to 3 kg (or 50 ml up to 3 l, if it is a liquid composition 40) for 100 kg. seeds. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that the non-phytotoxic foaming agent is a non-ionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric surface active agent or a mixture of several thereof. 5. A process according to claim 1, characterized in that the foam is formed by injection of air or pressure gas into the composition containing the nonphytotoxic foaming agent. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that the composition containing the non-phytotoxic foaming agent further contains a foam stabilizing agent, such as copra diethanolamide. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that the composition containing the non-phytotoxic foaming agent further contains an additive which increases the bonding power. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that the non-phytotoxic foaming agent is a surface active agent present in a concentration of 0.05 g to 100 g per 100 kg of seed. Process according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the seeds are treated continuously. 10. Process according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the seeds are treated in a discontinuous manner. Process according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that the foaming agent is a non-ionic surfactant, in particular ethoxylated polyphloride alcohol. RO 112555 Bl Process according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that the foaming agent is an anionic surfactant, in particular sodium olefin sulphonate alpha. Process according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that the foaming agent is a cationic surfactant, in particular alkylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride. Process according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that the foaming agent is an amphoteric surface active agent, in particular betaine. 15. Apparatus for treating plant seeds, which allows the application of the process, characterized in that it consists of a foam forming chamber (13 or 29) equipped with holes for gas access (6 and 24] and holes for accessing the composition. containing the foaming agent (2 and 22), and below these holes at least one screen (14 or 32), the first chamber continuing with the second chamber for compressing and structuring the foam (18 or 36) which ends with a foam outlet nozzle (20 or 38) the apparatus being coupled to a container equipped with a system for mixing the seeds. the container also having an intake system for the composition containing the plant protection product, by means of a nozzle or any apparatus that allows the flow and spraying of this composition. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the holes for accessing the gas (24) and those for the composition containing the foaming agent (22) are arranged radially, in opposite directions. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the holes for accessing the gas (6) and those for the composition containing the foaming agent (2) are arranged perpendicularly to each other. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the screen (14 or 32) has openings of 250 to 2500 μηι. Apparatus according to claims 15 and 18, characterized in that a screen (12) having openings of various shapes from 3 to 10 mm is provided above the screen (14).